"My sweet girl," said Miss Slarge.
"It will be a pleasing spectacle for me to witness the progress of Love's young dream," rolled Mrs. Purcell, still majestic.
"Oh dear! you are all very kind," wept Tui. "How--how--how very happy I am!"
"I fear you are not to see the progress of Love's young dream just yet, Mrs. Purcell," blurted out Aldean. "I am going away, you know."
"Going away?" echoed the combined trio.
"Oh, Jim!" wailed Tui. "Oh, Jim!"
Aldean steeled his heart. "Major Semberry has bolted to Italy," he said. "I must follow him--promised Mallow.'
"And why has Major Semberry departed so suddenly?"
"Guilty conscience, Mrs. Purcell. He's gone off to see Carson."
"To see my husband?" cried Olive, turning white. "Are you following him?"